By Danielle Nugent
This September marks a major milestone for Shanna Sudderth, who has dedicated 20 years to the Aquatics Department at YWCA Greenwich. We sat down with Shanna to reflect on her journey, the uniqueness of the program, and her passion for teaching water safety.
Q: Congratulations on 20 years! Can you tell us about your career?
Shanna: Thank you! It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years. I started as the Assistant Director and then was promoted to Director of Aquatics in 2019. This place has been such a huge part of my life these past two decades.
Q: Have you always had a passion for working with children and swim instruction?
Shanna: Absolutely. I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston, so working with children has always been a goal of mine. I spent summers lifeguarding and working at camps, so this career is the perfect mix of the two.
Q: What sets the Aquatics program at YWCA Greenwich apart?
Shanna: It’s designed to be a lifelong program. We start swimmers as young as 6 months old, and they can stay with us through high school on our competitive swim team, the Dolphins. We even have senior aquatic classes. Theres really something for everyone here, and my staff does an amazing job of catering to each person so that everyone can feel comfortable and confident in the water.
Q: Transitioning young swimmers can be challenging. How do you approach that process?
Shanna: One of our specialties is helping kids transition from being in the water with a parent or guardian to being with just an instructor. This usually happens in our Dolphin Tots level. At that stage, it’s critical that instruction is personalized. I make it a point to speak with every family, build relationships, and ensure everyone feels comfortable. If a child is struggling, I do everything I can to find the right approach and instructor to help them succeed. I’ve seen it all from kids screaming in the parking lot to those same kids breaking records years later at the Connecticut championships. We call those transformations the ‘Shanna Banana Specials’.
Q: You seem very passionate about water safety. Can you tell us more about that?
Shanna: Water safety is everything to me. I truly believe every person should know how to swim because it truly does save lives. No matter how challenging a student may be, I will always find a way to get them in the water.
Q: What does this 20-year milestone mean to you personally?
Shanna: It means the world to me. Knowing that my work has had a positive impact on the Greenwich community is an incredible feeling. I’m so grateful for my staff and the way they support my mission to teach as many people as possible how to swim and stay safe around water.
Q: For those interested in swim programs, what would you recommend?
Shanna: I would encourage anyone, whether you’re a beginner, a parent of a young child, or a senior looking for fitness options, to explore our programs. We have something for everyone, and we’re here to help you feel confident and safe in the water.
To learn more about Aquatics programs at YWCA Greenwich, visit ywcagreenwich.org
